June 2017

Brian Marsella Trio

The music of John Zorn

Brian Marsella, piano

Trevor Dunn, double-bass

Kenny Wollesen, drums

Ars Nova Workshop is pleased to present Philadelphia native Brian Marsella and his trio, performing songs from John Zorn’s second Masada book, “The Book of Angels,” as recorded on their new Tzadik release, Buer.

Collecting 16 Masada compositions performed by a dynamic piano trio, Buer (Volume 31 of “The Book of Angels”) features three remarkable musicians well-versed in the Zorn canon: Brian Marsella, the astonishing and passionate pianist from Banquet of the Spirits, Zion80 and The Flail who also leads his own project, the sinic theater group Imaginarium, and appears regularly with Philly jazz supergroup the Fresh Cut Orchestra.

Marsella is joined on the album by the classic Masada rhythm section of bassist Trevor Dunn, known for his wide-ranging playing with Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantômas, the Nels Cline Singers and his own Trio Convulsant; and drummer Kenny Wollesen, familiar as a founding member of Sex Mob and the New Klezmer Trio as well as for his work with Bill Frisell, Tom Waits, Julian Lage, John Lurie and countless others.

Ars Nova Workshop is a Philadelphia nonprofit jazz and experimental music presenting organization. ANW informs, inspires, and challenges listeners to elevate the role of jazz, improvisation, and experimental music in contemporary culture. ANW events provide a forum for discourse, emergent trends in contemporary music, and unique forms of cultural exchange, while nurturing a diverse community for innovative music.